Dubai-based Meraas with a vast portfolio of retail, food & beverage and leisure and entertainment projects is set to launch Mattel Play! Town, a 53,800 sqft interactive themed eduplay attraction where children between the ages of 2 and 10 can meet and interact with some of the popular and well-loved children’s characters.

In partnership with global toy company Mattel, the attraction will feature engaging and stimulating play experiences around five world recognised brands including Barney, Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina and Fireman Sam, along with live shows, to create long-lasting memories. Mattel Play! Town highlights the importance of stimulating children’s imagination and fantasy to facilitate the development of social skills.

According to a research finding published by the Dubai Statistics Centre, the pre-teen population in the region has more than doubled over the last decade – outpacing the growth of the rest of the population by 66%. Meraas anticipated the need and decided to provide them with a unique, child-friendly and safe entertainment facility.

Located at City Walk, Mattel Play! Town is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2016. It will add to Meraas Leisure & Entertainment division’s rapidly growing portfolio of innovative attractions. Meraas has recently announced The Green Planet, the region’s first bio-dome, to be located at City Walk. The two upcoming assets will complement the current leisure and entertainment offering encompassing The Dome Box, the region’s first 360-degree dome theatre at Boxpark; Splash Pad, a wet play area for children at The Beach opposite JBR; as well as Reel Cinemas at The Beach.